Dolmen Goward is an impressive dolmen in County Down, Northern Ireland. Located in a farmer’s field between Hilltown and Castlewellan, this dolmen’s imposing scale has earned it the nickname “Big Stone” from the locals. A must-see!
Classified as a historic monument, the Goward Dolmen is gigantic!
Take a look: the cover slab is 4 metres long and 3 metres wide, and weighs an estimated 50 tonnes! At 4.3 metres high, this dolmen has nothing to envy the Brownshill Dolmen (reputed to be the tallest in Europe!)!
Over time, the roof slab slipped from its original position, and moved north, sliding on the other supporting stones. It is now almost vertical to the dolmen!
The whole forms a 2.7-meter-long burial chamber, once used as a ritual site. It was at this very spot that a funerary urn (containing the ashes of a cremation) and a flint arrowhead were found.
Access to the dolmen is easy and well worth a visit. It alone demonstrates the talent and skill of Neolithic man in building gigantic edifices! Don’t miss it: it’s one of the most beautiful dolmens in Northern Ireland!
Essential information to help you plan your visit, including key landmarks, access information, and booking options.
2 Goward Rd, Hilltown, Newry, Newry (County Down) - Northern Ireland
54.213134, -6.094307
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